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About the Office of the Provost

The University of Kansas has a proud tradition of excellence. As the interim provost and executive vice chancellor, I take very seriously the responsibility this office has to promote academic excellence, advance scholarship and creative endeavors at the highest levels, and fulfill the obligations our institution has to our state and nation.

My goal is that all students, faculty, and staff find an increasing pool of meaningful opportunities through which they can achieve their academic and scholarly goals. KU’s commitment to the student experience, our focus on research excellence and our dedication to service aren’t simply talking points, they are areas where KU shines.

Every student, regardless of field of study, should have access to opportunities that educate them as well as build their career readiness. Undergraduate Studies, Graduate Studies, International Programs and Student Affairs all focus on developing the student as a whole person with unique interests and contributions. The student experience at KU can also include research endeavors as early as an undergraduate’s first semester on campus. From my own fruitful research experience and program, I know the incredible power that research experiences – everything from time in the laboratory or library conducting original research to study abroad and service learning – have upon students.

This office strives to prioritize the stakeholders we serve – first and foremost our students – but also the faculty, the staff and the State of Kansas. We have a responsibility to create an inclusive environment where people, regardless of background or life circumstances, can be present and successful. As we work to achieve our institutional goals, it is imperative that we support our faculty and staff in the completion of their work.

During my time as dean in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, I benefited tremendously from soliciting and receiving anonymous feedback from students, faculty, staff, and others who care deeply about our people and programs. Feedback can sometimes be hard to hear when we haven’t served our community to the standards we have set for ourselves, but it is crucial to our getting it right the next time. Our greatest opportunities for growth often are found in the areas where we push ourselves to do better.

KU’s reputation as a top international institution, a member of the Association of American Universities, and one that uses its trajectory to enhance the student experience, depends so much upon great researchers and distinguished creative scholarly expression. I am excited by the possibilities to amplify what our faculty, staff, and students do.